ACX MASTER CLASS – Last Year’s Curriculum

Dan O’Day and David H. Lawrence XVII invite you to become an ACX Audiobook Master…

What Is The ACX Audiobook Master Class?

A four-week class produced by Dan O’Day (radio & voiceover marketing guru) and taught by David H. Lawrence XVII (Audible Approved Producer of 180 audiobooks over the past two decades).

Who Is This Class For?

It’s for actors, voice talents and storytellers who want to take control of their lives and their careers… starting today.

Learn Without Leaving Your House.

The ACX Audiobook Master Class will be taught in a “teleseminar” format. All you need is a telephone.

“But what if I miss a session?” Don’t worry. You’ll automatically receive mp3 recordings of all the sessions.

Live Teaching Calls Each Monday

Monday of each week is devoted to a live class that covers two or more modules (see curriculum below).

Remember, you’ll receive an mp3 recording of each call, for you to review and replay whenever you wish.

Live Q&A Calls Each Thursday

On Thursdays, we answer every question you have about anything discussed in that week’s modules.

You’ll automatically receive mp3 recordings of the Q&A classes, too.

Online Video Instruction

As a member of our ACX Master Class, you’ll receive lifetime access to our private class site, including videos to walk you through the key elements — including all of the technical steps involved.

From “basic” (e.g., filling out your ACX profile for optimal effectiveness) to “advanced” (e.g., how to do David’s “stairstep” method of editing your audio recordings)….

We’re with you every step of the way.

(Don’t worry, the technical stuff is easy. We’re just making it even easier for you to learn it.)

Detailed PDF Study Guides

We’re going to cover a lot of material in these four weeks. Your PDF Study Guides will give you a head start on each week’s training.

Weekly Assignments

Hey, we can’t make you do these assignments.

But we want you to achieve audiobook success as quickly as possible. And we know these assignments will help you do just that.

Student Accountability Reports

Beginning with Week #2, each Monday class will begin with feedback from students on their previous week’s assignments.

You’ll be able to share what you learned…and to learn from your fellow students’ experiences.

Client Management Email Templates

During our ACX Master Class, you’ll learn how to take the lead in your collaboration with the author from beginning to end.

Most or all of your communications will be via email. But what do you say in those emails?

By the end of the class, you’ll have a firm understanding of the psychology of ACX client management.

To make it as easy as possible for you to transform your understanding into daily practice, we’ll give the actual email templates that David has created and used so successfully in his own audiobook career.

Just copy & paste as needed, and you can concentrate on delivering excellent performances and cultivating long-term relationships with authors.

You are not taking this new journey alone. You’ll be able to:
– compare notes with fellow classmates and peers
– share challenges and questions
– share recommendations, solutions, and successes

Both David and Dan will be regular participants in this Mastermind Group, too.

Private Mastermind Group #2
(forever!)

At the conclusion of the 2018 ACX Master Class, you’ll be invited to join our permanent ACX Mastermind Group.

This is the Mastermind Group you’ve heard so much about. An experienced, incredibly generous bunch of pros…

…who will be waiting to welcome you to become part of the savviest, coolest and smartest Mastermind Group in the History of the World.

This Mastermind Group doesn’t devote itself to gossip or sharing cute videos…or complaining about how “tough” it is to succeed with audiobook narration.

This is a group of pros who are succeeding on ACX…

…and who will be eager to help you with your success, as well as to learn from you.

Both David and Dan are regular participants in this Mastermind Group, too.

You’re not in this alone!

This private group will be hosted on Facebook. It’ll be invisible to the rest of the world, but it will be an ongoing resource of encouragement and information for you.

We Will Promote Your Audiobooks (and Your Authors).

You think you don’t know much about marketing audiobooks? Here’s a shocker:

The authors with whom you’ll be partnering probably know absolutely nothing about marketing.

We’ll equip you with an added advantage that virtually no other narrators have:

A platform from which to promote the books you record.

For each ACX title you record after joining our Master Class, we will:

Promote your audiobook via the ACXMasterClass website.

Promote your audiobook via a battery of social media sites.

Promote your audiobook via our exclusive Video Marketing
Machine.

To take advantage of this extraordinary bonus feature, you’ll need to create a simple “video” for each audiobook. Don’t worry, we’ll teach you exactly how to do it. It’s easy. Once you’ve given us the video, we’ll do the rest.Result: Much higher online visibility for your audiobooks, which can lead to more sales for your and your authors…and which will make you a much more likely candidate for their “narrator of choice.”

We Will Promote You.

Once you have recorded at least one ACX audiobook, we will feature you on our website as an alumnus — with a link directly to your ACX profile.

Result: Higher online visibility for you as an audiobook narrator, increasing the likelihood of your being found by authors searching for people to record their titles.

CURRICULUM

Week One (Monday)

How to Profit from the ACX Marketplace

Inside ACX: How the Pieces FitUnion Members: The Real Story for SAG-AFTRA members Union vs. Non-Union 5 Reasons Why You Want to Be on Audible.com How You Make Money How You Get Paid How ACX Promotes You 5 Common Misconceptions About ACX 20 Reasons ACX Is Better for You than “Pay-to-Play” Sites

Creating Your ACX Profile: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Join Creating a Profile that Attracts Jobs Most Important Element of your Profile (most people miss this) 6 Competitive Advantages Your Profile Should Have 3 Key Elements of your Professional Summary “About You”: What to Include “About You”: What Not to Include How to Use “Awards & Recognition” if You Haven’t Won Any
Awards Yet “Your Website”: What You Should Link To “Your Website”: Four Sites You Never Should Include Uploading Your Samples Format Length How Many You Should Upload What if You Don’t Have Any? Whether to Choose “Royalty Share” or “Pay for Production” How Much to Charge

Your Most Important GoalProper Titling Structure Incorporating Visual References Two Things to Know About Your Audience Three Requirements of Your Voice Delivery for Nonfiction Three Requirements for the Listener to Be Happy Nonfiction Enunciation Calibration Voicing Steps, Lists and Processes Identifying & Connecting to Your Audience

Assignments

Downloading Free Recording Software Nonfiction Practice Auditions

Week Two Q&A re: Equipment & Software; Narrating Nonfiction

Week Three

Student Accountability Reports

How to Record for ACX with Audacity* *You can use whatever software you prefer. But Audacity is the only software that will enable you to cut your editing time by as much as 75%.

How to Choose Your Auditions Wisely How to Identify Your Audience How to Create Your Characters Voicing the Narrator Voicing Female Characters Voicing Male Characters Voicing Children When and How to Use Accents Six Vital Presentation Tips Fiction Enunciation Calibration

Three key metrics to help you identify the most profitable titles Moving from “Auditioning” to “Booking” Managing Client Expectations Setting Expectations When You Audition Potent Skill Representation Planning for Success Booking the Client, Not the Work Project Payment Clarity Step-by-Step Client Folder Creation How to Handle Complex Change Requests How to Establish a Clear Paper Trail Using Pre-Written Messages for Each Step How to “Hand Hold” the Client Dealing with Client Feedback How to Handle Slow-to-Respond Client Setting Yourself Up as Client’s “Preferred Narrator” 5 Things You Should Do To Make The Rights Holder Want to Work Only With You (that very few of your competitors do)

How to Manage ACX Projects

Acquiring Necessary Assets Setting Your Production Schedule Scheduling Your Delivery Date When Not to Begin Working Scheduling for Disaster Special Research Before You Begin Recording How to Avoid a Nightmare Which Files to Save, and for How Long Responding to Revision Requests When to Invoice the Client How to Create Your Own Retail Sample of Finished Audiobook How & When to “Sanitize” Your Retail Sample How to Earn More From Every Sale (Even without Royalty Share)

Beyond ACX!

Week Four Q&A re: Managing Clients; Managing Projects

Open to U.S., UK, Canada and Ireland Residents

At present, ACX is open only to

• U.S. citizens with a Social Securityx number.

• U.S residents (not necessarily citizens)x of the United States who have a validx U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number xx and are able to submit Form W9.

• Canadian citizens and residents whox have a Canadian Tax I.D., a Canadianx bank account, and a Canadian address.